COPY  OF  A  LETTER 


Written  from  Buffalo,  State  of  N".  Y.,  December  21st,  18G0. 


- - 4  .» - 

To  the  Honorable  Abraham  Lincoln ,  President  elect ,  0/  the  United  States  of 


North  America. 


Y 


Dear  Sir  : — After  mailing  to  you  some  pamphlets,  &c.,  &c.,  on  the  19th 
inst.,  I  returned  home  and  read  in  a  newspaper  that  it  was  rumored  at  Wash¬ 
ington  that  you  and  Mr.  Hamlin  were  to  be  assassinated,  but  the  report  was 
not  credited.  Should  this  rumor  prove  to  be  true,  it  is  probably  only  a  scheme 
of  the  enemy  to  try  and  deter  you  from  appearing  to  be  inaugurated. 

Therefore  do  not  heed  it,  for  you  are  aware  of  the  dangers,  difficulties  and 
severe  trials  David  had  to  pass  through  and  surmount  before  he  ascended  the 
throne  of  Israel.  And  on  the  strength  of  his  experience  he  exhorts  the  people 
of  God,  saying,  “  Trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  good :  so  shalt  thou  dwell  in  the 
land,  and  verily  thou  shalt  be  fed.  Delight  thyself  also  in  the  Lord:  and  he 
shall  give  thee  the  desires  of  thine  heart.  Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord  ; 
trust  also  in  him  ;  and  he  shall  bring  it  to  pass.”  Psa.  xxxvii.  3,  4,  5. 

God  having  decided  to  remove  Saul  from  being  King  over  Israel,  he  com- 
manded  Samuel  to  go  and  anoint  one  of  Jesse’s  sons,  whom  he  would  name 
unto  him,  and  he  selected  David,  and  who  could  disannul  it  ?  or  frustrate  God’s 
design  ?  Saul  and  his  servants  strove  hard,  but  could  not  prevail.  Now,  Saul 
had  not  done  anything  which  appeared  very  evil  in  the  sight  of  men,  but  he  had 
disobeyed  God’s  command,  and  that  was  the  cause  of  his  removal. 

And  has  not  the  head  of  this  nation,  and  those  about  him,  done  many  things 
which  appear  evil  in  the  sight  of  men  1  as  well  as  disobeying  God’s  command, 
where  he  saith,  “  Therefore  all  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do 
to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them  :  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets.”  Matt, 
vii.  12. 


If  God  has  now  decided  to  remove  those  from  authority  who  despise  him, 
and  disobey  his  commands,  wffio  is  to  disannul  it?  Are  the  ungodly  always  to 
rule  ?  Hear  the  answer.  “  The  prosperity  of  fools  shall  destroy  them  :  but 
whoso  hearkeneth  unto  me  shall  dwell  safely,  and  shall  be  quiet  from  fear  of 
evil.”  Prow  i.  32,  33. 

You  have  been  chosen  by  the  people  to  rule  over  them,  and  in  all  probability 
by  God’s  appointment,  consequently  he  will  require  you  to  do  His  pleasure,  and 
not  the  pleasure  of  wicked  men.  You  know  why  the  world  hated  Christ  ?  It 
was  because  he  testified  of  it  that  the  works  thereof  are  evil.  See  John  vii.  7. 

Of  course  you  will  not  have  the  power  David  had.  Your  power  will  be  lim¬ 
ited.  You  will  have  to  execute  the  laws  enacted  by  Congress.  If  they  enact 
unrighteous,  grievous  or  oppressive  laws,  God  will  hold  them  responsible.  For 
it  is  written.  “  He  hath  shewed  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good ;  and  what  doth  the 
Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly  and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly 
with  thy  God  ?  Micah.  vi.  8.  And  not  seek  to  favor  the  gain  of  oppression,  * 
and  lose  their  own  soul. 

Hence  the  important  question  put  by  the  great  master  of  assemblies.  “  What 
is  a  man  profited  if  he  shall  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?” 
Maitt.  xvi.  26. 


2 


f 


Why  then  should  the  unrighteous  gains  of  slave-trading  and  slaveholding,  in¬ 
fluence  the  minds  of  men  to  such  an  extent  as  to  induce  them  to  try  to  deter  an 
honorable  man  from  doing  his  duty  toward  both  God  and  man  ?  Are  they  fully 
bent  on  their  own,  or  the  country’s  destruction,  if  they  can  accomplish  it  ? 
Are  the  same  dark  and  crimson  crimes  which  were  perpetrated  in  Kansas,  to  be 
performed  over  again  at  the  city  of  Washington?  If  so,  is  it  not  high  time  the 
system  of  slavery  was  done  away  ?  Therefore,  as  the  cause  is  God’s,  stand  up 
boldly  in  defence  of  truth  and  righteousness ;  facing  danger  like  a  Christian 
trusting  in  the  Lord,  who  is  able  to  deliver  you  out  of  the  hand  of  evil  doers. 

Nevertheless,  in  order  to  show  us  it  is  not  good  to  flinch,  He  proclaimed  : 
“  Whosoever  will  save  his  life  shall  lose  it :  and  whosoever  will  lose  his  life  for 
my  sake  shall  find  it.”  Matt.  xvi.  25.  “  And  I  say  unto  you,  my  friends,  be 

not  afraid  of  them  that  kill  the  body,  and  after  that  have  no  more  that  they  can 
do.  But  I  will  forewarn  you  whom  ye  shall  fear:  Fear  him,  wFich  after  he 
hath  killed  hath  power  to  cast  into  hell ;  yea,  I  say  unto  you,  fear  him.”  Luke 
xii.  4,  5. 

Therefore,  may  the  Lord  be  pleased  to  enable  you  fearlessly  to  undertake, 
and  faithfully  to  perform  your  duty  both  to  God  and  man,  as  a  true  Christian 
ought  to  do. 

And  I  consider  it  the  bounden  duty  of  every  true  Christian,  every  true  pa¬ 
triot,  and  every  well-wisher  to  the  country  to  endeavor  to  strengthen  your  hands 
in  the  Lord,  who  hath  declared  :  “  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  to  hate  evil,  pride, 
and  arrogancy,  and  the  evil  way,  and  the  froward  mouth  do  I  hate.  Counsel 
is  mine,  and  sound  wisdom ;  I  am  understanding,  I  have  strength.  By  me 
kings  reign,  and  princes  decree  justice.  By  me  princes  rule,  and  nobles,  even 
all  the  judges  of  the  earth.  I  love  them  that  love  me  :  and  those  that  seek  me 
early  shall  find  me.  Riches  and  honor  are  with  me ;  yea,  durable  riches  and 
righteousness.  My  fruit  is  better  than  gold,  yea,  than  fine  gold :  and  my  rev¬ 
enue  than  choice  silver.  I  lead  in  the  way  of  righteousness  in  the  midst  of  the 
paths  of  judgment :  That  I  may  cause  those  that  love  me  to  inherit  substance  ; 
and  I  will  fill  their  treasures.”  Prov.  viii.  13  to  21. 

Thus,  you  see,  those  that  are  influenced  by  God,  rules  righteously,  not 
wickedly.  He  will  not  own  such  as  decree  unrighteous  decrees,  because  they 
are  influenced  by  the  enemy  of  God  and  man.  Therefore  he  saith :  “  W oe 
unto  them  that  decree  unrighteous  decrees,  and  that  write  grievousness  which 
they  have  prescribed :  To  turn  aside  the  needy  from  judgment,  and  to  take 
away  the  right  from  the  poor  of  my  people,  that  widows  may  be  their  prey, 
and  that  they  may  rob  the  fatherless.”  Isaiah  x.  1,2. 

See  also  how  applicable  the  following  portion  of  scripture  is  to  the  present 
state  of  affairs  in  the  country,  in  view  of  the  imbecility  of  its  late  rulers.  “  And 
I  will  give  children  (for  explanation  read  Matt.  xiii.  38,  39,)  to  be  their  princes, 
and  babes  (see  Heb.  v.  12, 13, 14,)  shall  rule  over  them.  And  the  people  shall  be 
oppressed  every  one  by  another,  and  every  one  by  his  neighbor :  the  child  shall 
behave  himself  proudly  against  the  ancient,  and  the  base  against  the  honorable. 

When  a  man  shall  take  hold  of  his  brother  of  the  house  of  his  father,  saying, 
Thou  hast  clothing,  be  thou  our  ruler,  and  let  this  ruin  be  under  thy  hand.  In 
that  day  shall  he  swear,  saying,  1  will  not  be  an  healer,  for  in  my  house  is  neither 
bread  nor  clothing,  make  me  not  a  ruler  of  the  people.  For  Jerusalem  is 
ruined,  and  Judah  is  fallen:  because  their  tongue  and  their  doings  are  against 
the  Lord,  to  provoke  the  eyes  of  his  glory.”  Isaiah  iii.  4  to  8. 

President  Buchanan,  and  others  speak  of  the  prosperity  of  the  country  under 
the  present  order  of  things.  But  what  are  its  effects  ?  It  tends  only  to  make 
men  forget  God.  As  it  is  written,  “  In  prosperity  they  forgat  me,  but  in  their 
trouble  they  will  ?eek  me  early.”  May  they  not  expect  trouble  then,  if  they 
continue  their  present  evil  course  ? 


3 


Hear  what  God  saith  to  rebellious  sinners.  “  Because  I  have  called,  and  ye 
refused;  I  have  stretched  out  my  hand,  and  no  man  regarded :  But  ye  have  set 
at  naught  all  my  counsel,  and  would  none  of  my  reproof :  I  will  also  laugh  at 
your  calamity  ;  I  will  mock  when  your  fear  cometh  ;  when  your  fear  cometh  as 
desolation,  and  your  destruction  cometh  as  a  whirlwind :  when  distress  and  an¬ 
guish  cometh  upon  you.  Then  shall  ye  call  upon  me,  but  I  will  not  answer : 
they  shall  seek  me  early,  but  they  shall  not  find  me.  For  that  they  hated 
knowledge,  and  did  not  choose  the  fear  of  the  Lord  :  they  would  none  of  my 
connsel  :  they  despised  all  my  reproof.  Therefore  shall  they  eat  of  the  fruit 
of  their  own  way,  and  be  filled  with  their  own  devices.”  Proverbs  i.  24  to  31. 

Under  present  circumstances  would  it  not  be  well  for  the  slaveholders  to  re¬ 
flect,  and  consider  their  perilous  position  in  the  sight  of  God  ?  And  like  the 
people  of  Nineveh,  repent  and  turn  to  God,  by  giving  up  the  system  of  slavery 
for  a  stipulated  sum  of  money,  and  avert  the  vengeance  of  Heaven  ? 

The  father  of  his  country,  and  the  framers  of  the  Constitution,  hopefully 
looked  to  the  gradual,  but  final  extinction  of  slavery  in  this  land  of  freedom. 
And  their  hope  has  been  realized,  so  far  as  the  Northern  people  are  concerned. 
But  the  Southern  people,  or  a  portion  of  them,  are  yet  obstinate  and  rebellious 
against  the  Lord,  and  instead  of  extinguishing  it,  they  have  increased  the  evil  to 
such  an  alarming  extent,  that  it  has  divided  the  churches  as  well  as  the  public ; 
and  they  are  now  wickedly  seeking  to  divide  the  country,  in  order  perpetually  to 
pursue  their  sinful  and  wicked  course. 

All  the  morning,  and  a  fifth  part  of  the  afternoon  of  the  nineteenth  century 
they  have  spent  in  this  dark  benighted  condition.  When  will  they  learn  wis¬ 
dom,  and  seek  to  be  enlightened  with  the  light  of  the  living.  Oh,  that  the  sun 
of  righteousness  may  arise  and  shine  upon  them  with  healing  underneath  his 
beams,  and  scatter  those  clouds  of  darkness,  wickedness  and  woe,  that  the  true 
light  may  shine  among  them  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

Why  are  they  so  anxious  to  retain  and  cherish  slavery  ?  are  its  fruits  of  such 
vast  importance,  and  so  difficult  to  raise  that  they  cannot  be  obtained  without 
upholding  slavery  ?  1  believe  the  principal  productions  of  slave  labor,  are  cot¬ 

ton,  sugar,  rice,  hemp  and  tobacco. 

Can  not  these  things  be  raised  by  free  colored  persons,  as  well  as  slaves  ? 
Even  supposing  it  should  cost  the  planters  a  little  more  to  hire  free  colored 
persons  than  to  keep  slaves,  could  they  not  charge  a  little  higher  price  for  their 
productions  ?  And  would  it  not  be  much  better  and  more  Christian-like  for  the 
consumers  both  at  home  and  abroad  to  pay  a  little  more  for  those  commodities 
than  to  have  the  crimes  accompanying  the  slave  system  charged  to  their  ac¬ 
count  by  the  Almighty  ? 

According  to  human  law,  is  not  the  receiver  considered  nearly  or  quite  as 
bad  as  the  thief?  on  the  supposition,  that  if  there  were  no  receivers,  there  would 
be  no  thieves.  And  will  not  God  view  things  in  a  similar  light?  And  if  the 
consumers  to  a  certain  extent  are  responsible  to  God  for  the  sins  of  slavery,  are 
they  not  deeply  interested  in  the  removal  of  the  system  ? 

Why  then  do  not  the  people  offer  to  compensate  the  slave  owners,  if  they 
will  do  away  with  the  system.  And  if  they  will  not  consent  to  do  away  with 
it  on  condition  of  being  paid  a  reasonable  compensation,  then  let  the  friends  of 
freedom  throughout  the  world  make  up  their  minds  and  agree  not  to  purchase 
or  use  anything  raised  by  slave  laber.  And  then  the  slave  owners  would  soon 
be  glad  to  come  to  terms,  or  get  into  trouble  among  themselves. 

But  I  hope  they  will  seriously  consider  their  ways  and  act  wisely.  And  may 
the  Lord  bless  them  and  make  his  face  to  shine  upon  them,  that  glory,  praise 
and  honor  may  redound  unto  his  most  holy  name,  for  the  same,  through  time 
and  all  eternity.  While  I  remain  thine  to  serve,  in  all  simplicity  and  sincerity, 
as  the  country’s  well-wisher.  Frederick  Hasted. 


4 


P.  S.  I  believe  the  United  States  is  now  the  last  country  in  the  world  to  pro¬ 
claim  liberty  to  the  captive,  excepting  Cuba,  where  I  presume  it  is  kept  up  princi¬ 
pally  to  supply  the  Southern  States  with  slaves. 

But  it  appears  the  time  for  it  to  be  done  away  by  Congress,  has  arrived  ;  and  I 
hope  the  friends  of  freedom,  the  friends  of  Christ  and  his  religion,  and  the  advo¬ 
cates  of  the  rights  of  man,  will  exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability  in 
endeavoring  to  obtain  the  liberation  of  the  slaves  by  means  of  a  reasonable  com¬ 
pensation,  which  appears  to  be  the  only  equitable  way  of  getting  rid  of  the  evil. 

If  your  friends  and  the  friends  of  freedom  rally  now  and  obtain  it,  it  will  not  only 
save  you  and  your  cabinet  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  ill  feeling  and  inconvenience,  but 
it  will  be  accomplishing  a  great  and  good  work  for  the  whole  country. 

Therefore,  as  this  appears  to  me  to  be  the  time  for  action,  I  consider  the  people 
have  as  much  to  do  with  what  I  have  written  as  yourself.  Consequently  I  have 
taken  the  liberty  to  write  off  a  copy  to  send  to  Mr.  Greeley,  to  see  if  he  would  like 
to  give  it  a  place  in  his  widely  circulated  and  valuable  paper.  F.  H. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  written  from  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  4,  1861. 

To  the  Hon.  Horace  Greeley. 

Sir  : — Will  you  have  the  kindness  to  give  the  following  a  place  in  your  widely 
circulated  and  valuable  paper  ? 

If  I  understand  right,  the  whole  of  the  United  States  have  adopted  “  Liberty  ” 
for  their  national  emblem.  How  is  it  then  that  the  people  of  the  Southern  States 
are  so  strongly  attached  to  bondage  ?  Is  it  not  because  they  are  the  children  of 
the  bond-woman  themselves,  instead  of  being  children  of  the  free-woman  ?  We  are 
informed,  that  Abraham  had  two  sons,  the  one  by  a  bond-maid  and  the  other  by  a 
free-woman.  But  he  who  was  of  the  bond-woman  was  born  after  the  flesh,  but  he 
of  the  free-woman  was  by  promise  ;  which  things  are  an  allegory  :  for  these  are 
tlie  two  covenants.  Gal.  iv,  22,  23,  24. 

By  this  the  Apostle  shows  the  difference  between  the  natural  and  spiritual  seed 
of  Abraham,  which  is  of  vast  importance  to  the  soul.  But  on  that  point  I  am  not 
now  going  to  treat.  But  as  respects  natural  things  I  am  going  to  compare  Wash¬ 
ington  with  Abraham. 

You  are  aware,  that  neither  of  these  great  men  were  kings.  Yet  they  are  called 
fathers,  and  they  exerted,  and  still  do  exert  more  influence  over  mankind  than  many 
kings.  God  made  promise  to  Abraham  that  he  would  make  him  a  father  of  many 
nations.  And  although  Washington  had  no  natural  children,  yet  he  is  called  the 
father  of  his  country. 

Now,  if  you  take  aotice,  Washington  espoused  “Liberty,”  but  he  spent  consid¬ 
erable  time  in  gaining  her.  But  in  the  interim  he  had,  as  it  were,  children  by  the 
bond-maid.  For  not  only  did  slavery  exist  in  the  land,  but  the  whole  people  con¬ 
sidered  themselves  in  bondage  to  Great  Britain. 

Consequently,  like  Ishmael,  they  were  the  children  of  the  bond-woman  (or  “  Lib¬ 
erty’s  servant.)  and  his  first-born,  and  helped  him  subdue  the  land.  Yet  they  were 
not  the  true  heirs,  being  children  of  the  bond-woman,  instead  of  the  free-woman. 

But  when,  through  a  kind  Providence,  Washington  was  enabled  to  establish  free¬ 
dom  iu  the  land,  “  Liberty,”  or  the  free-woman  also  bare  children  to  Washington, 
and  these  (like  Isaac)  are  the  true  heirs  to  whom  the  inheritance  of  freedom  right¬ 
fully  belongs,  because  they  embrace  the  faith  and  carry  out  the  principles  of  Wash¬ 
ington. 

As  the  Apostle  spake  of  Abraham  and  his  seed,  saying,  “Know  ye  there¬ 
fore  that  they  which  are  of  faith,  the  same  are  the  children  of  Abraham.  And  the 
scripture,  foreseeing  that  God  would  justify  the  heathen  through  faith,  preached 
before  the  gospel  unto  Abraham,  saying:  “In  thee  shall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth 
be  blessed.  So  then  they  which  be  of  faith  are  blessed  with  faithful  Abraham.” 
Gal.  iii.  *7,  8,  9. 


5 


Thus,  you  see,  as  the  spiritual  seed  of  Abraham,  which  are  born  to  him  of  the 
free-woman,  (for  explanation  read  Gal.  iv.  26)  are  required  to  tread  in  his  steps.  So 
the  true  seed  of  Washington,  which  are  born  to  him  of  “Liberty,”  or  the  free- 
woman,  are  required  to  tread  in  his  steps,  and  act  as  becometh  the  children  of  a 
great  man,  endeavoring  to  carry  out  great  principles. 

For  as  God  promised  to  make  Abraham  a  father  of  many  nations,  declaring  that 
in  him  and  in  his  seed  should  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  blessed,  in  a  spiritual 
sense;  so  it  appears  to  be  the  intention  of  the  Almighty  to  bless  all  nations  in 
Washington  and  his  seed  by  the  free-woman,  in  a  temporal  sense.  For  not  only 
has  the  great  achievements  of  Washington  had  a  beneficial  effect  on  the  nations  of 
Europe,  but  his  wise  and  virtuous  conduct,  unselfish  and  noble  aims  for  the  pub¬ 
lic  good,  have  gained  for  him  the  admiration  of  the  world.  And  men  of  great 
minds  and  generous  principles  strive  to  imitate  him  as  far  as  circumstances  will  allow 
them. 

Yet,  not  in  this  respect  alone,  are  the  nations  blessed  in  Washington.  But 
through  him,  as  an  instrument  in  the  hand  of  God,  a  great  extent  of  rich  and  fer¬ 
tile  land  was  opened  for  settlement.  To  which  the  poor,  industrious  and  oppressed 
of  all  nations  might  flock.  To  seek  a  home,  enjoy  peace  and  obtain  a  competency 
agreeable  t  >  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution. 

But  the  children  of  the  bond-woman  who  inhabit  the  Southern  States,  do  not 
tread  in  the  steps  of  their  illustrious  father.  For  they  not  only  exclude  free¬ 
dom  from  the  States  where  they  dwell,  but  seek  to  contract  its  area,  endeavoring  to 
grasp  free  soil  to  pollute  it,  by  planting  slavery  thereon. 

What  would  Garibaldi  think  of  the  Neapolitans,  if,  after  he- had  risked  his  life  so 
often  to  free  them  from  the  yoke  of  a  tyrant,  the  people  of  Sicily  were  to  intro¬ 
duce  negroes  from  Africa  and  establish  slavery  over  the  whole  Island,  and  thus  set  up 
a  host  of  petty  tyrants  ?  Would  he  not  be  ready  to  wish  he  had  never  done  any 
thing  for  a  people  so  utterly  unworthy  of  freedom  ? 

And  does  not  the  slaveholders  at  the  South  stand  in  a  similar  position  with  Wash¬ 
ington  ?  Are  they  not  endeavoring  to  spread  slavery  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability  ? 
And  boasting  of  the  mischief  they  will  do,  if  they  cannot  have  their  way  ?  By 
endeavoriug  to  pull  down,  break  to  pieces  and  destroy  what  Washington  labored  so 
hard  and  so  diligently  to  build  up,  establish,  and  maintain  ?  Ought  they  not  to  feel 
ashamed  in  the  eyes  of  the  world?  Or  are  they  become  so  brutish  in  their  know¬ 
ledge  that  they  have  no  sense  of  shame,  or  of  right  and  wrong  ?  They  seem  to  be 
acting  like  cattle  breaking  into  a  fruitful  enclosure,  destroying  ten  times  more  than 
they  need  to  consume. 

What  is  slavery,  in  comparison  with  the  Union  ?  Oh,  that  they  were  wise,  that 
they  would  forsake  their  evil  course,  adopt  the  principles  of  Washington,  and 
endeavor  to  carry  out  his  plans  by  extending  the  area  of  freedom,  instead  of  en¬ 
croaching  on  freedom’s  soil,  endavoring  to  run  away  with  “  Liberty,”  (whom  the 
free  sons  of  Washington  have  espoused)  to  pollute  her,  by  making  a  prostitute  or 
an  adulteress  of  her. 

To  filch  her  fortune  and  her  fame, 

To  fix  a  blot  upon  her  name, 

And  leave  her  broken  hearted. 

Is  not  this  enough  to  arouse  the  wrath  of  her  sons,  who  are  jealous  of  her  honor 
and  her  integrity  ?  Is  it  not  easy  to  see  who  is  in  the  right,  and  who  is  in  the 
wrong?  Jesus  declared,  “  Ye  shall  know  them  by  their  fruits.  Do  men  gather 
grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles  ?  Even  so,  every  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good 
fruit :  but  a  corrupt  tree  bringeth  forth  evil  fruit.”  Matt.  vii.  16,  17. 

On  the  strength  of  this  the  Apostle  asks  this  important  question:  “Know  ye 
not,  that  to  whom  ye  yield  yourselves  servants  to  obey,  his  servants  ye  are  to  whom 
ye  obey ;  whether  of  sin  unto  death,  or  of  obedience  unto  righteousness  ?”  Rom. 
vi.  16. 


6 


How,  are  the  people  of  the  slaveholding  States  serving  God  or  Mammon  ?  Are 
their  fruits  good,  or  are  they  evil  ?  Several  of  the  States  have  departed  from  the 
Union,  as  sinners  depart  from  God.  And  I  suppose  you  are  aware  that  those  who 
do  well,  are  not  required  by  God  to  turn  toward  those  who  do  evil.  But  he  re¬ 
quires  those  who  do  evil,  to  turn  from  their  wickedness,  toward  those  who  do  well. 

Therefore,  it  is  written,  “  In  returning  and  rest  shall  ye  be  saved ;  in  quiet¬ 
ness  and  in  confidence  shall  be  your  strength Isaiah  xxx.  15.  Consequently, 
God  saith  to  his  servant,  “Let  them  return  unto  you;  but  return  not  thou  unto 
them.”  Jeremiah  xv.  19. 

Have  the  rebellious  States  any  need  be  told  which  is  to  their  interest,  to  return 
as  they  ought  to  do,  or  keep  away  and  go  on  sinning  as  they  ought  not  to  do  ? 

I  would  most  seriously  exhort  them  in  the  language  of  scripture,  “  To  consider 
their  ways,”  and  return  to  God,  and  the  Union,  and  may  the  Lord  bless  them,  and 
cause  his  face  to  shine  upon  them,  until  he  hath  enlightened  the  whole  South. 

While  I  remain,  in  all  simplicity,  a  well-wisher  to  the  whole  country, 

Frederick  Hasted. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  written  from  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  April  23d,  1861. 

To  the  Hon.  Jefferson  Davis ,  Montgomery ,  State  of  Alabama. 

Sir: — About  a  year  ago,  I  sent  to  you  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  some  of  my 
pamphlets,  hoping  you  would  have  seen  the  propriety  of  endeavoring  to  do  away 
with  the  system  of  slavery  on  some  equitable  plan.  Whether  you  received  them, 
or  not,  I  do  not  know,  but  seeing  by  the  newspapers  you  are  now  pursuing  a  widely 
different  course,  I  feel  desirous  of  holding  a  little  serious  conversation  with  you  on 
the  awful  state  of  affairs  you  have  already  produced,  and  are  still  producing.  For 
your  attack  on  the  national  flag  in  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter,  has  united 
the  people  of  the  free  States  against  you  to  such  an  extent,  that  it  will  now  be  dif¬ 
ficult  to  appease  their  indignation.  Nevertheless  there  is,  I  think,  one  way  open 
yet;  and  hoping  you  are  not  a  stranger  to  some  sober  second  thoughts,  and  that 
you  might  yet  allow  yourself  to  be  guided  by  good  counsel,  I  take  the  liberty  of 
asking  you  the  following  questions : 

First ,  Have  you  duly  considered  the  great  evils  you  are  about  to  bring  upon 
yourself,  your  friends,  and  the  whole  American  people  ?  Second ,  Is  the  slave  sys¬ 
tem  of  more  value,  and  of  greater  importance,  than  the  lives  of  thousands,  and 
probably  millions  of  white  people?  Third ,  Would  it  not  be  wiser  and  more  noble 
to  display  true  patriotism,  as  every  true  Christian  ought  to  do,  and  use  your  influ¬ 
ence  with  the  slave  owners  in  advising  them  to  do  away  with  the  slave  system, 
provided  the  people  through  the  Government  and  Congress  would  pay  them  a  cer¬ 
tain  sum  of  money,  as  compensation  for  freeing  their  slaves  ? 

Acting  on  this  principle,  they  would  be  remunerated  to  a  reasonable  extent,  and 
not  lose  the  labor  of  their  colored  people,  because  when  freed  they  could  hire  as 
many  as  they  needed  to  work  for  them,  as  laborers  are  hired  in  the  free  States. 

Moreover  this  would  make  room  for  the  employment  of  your  already  free  colored 
population,  which  now  appears  to  be  considered  a  nuisance  among  you.  Thus 
everything  might  be  made  to  run  smoothly  throughout  the  whole  country. 

Only  consider  the  blood  shed,  the  money  expended,  the  property  lost,  belonging 
to  individuals  and  corporate  companies  as  well  as  the  Government,  through  being 
carried  off,  burned,  and  otherwise  destroyed  in  Texas  and  elsewhere  already.  And 
how  much  more  none  can  tell  if  you  continue  your  present  course;  beside  demoral¬ 
izing  the  people,  destroying  their  peace,  prosperity  and  comfort,  setting  brother 
against  brother,  as  if  to  see  which  can  do  the  other  the  most  mischief.  And  what 
for  ?  Merely  to  uphold,  perpetuate  and  extend  slavery,  when  you  are  aware  all  the 
civilized  world  are  opposed  to  the  system.  And  I  hope  you  are  not  so  blind  as  to 
suppose  God  will  not  hold  you  and  others  responsible  for  the  evils  springing  out  of 
it.  If  you  wish  information  on  this  point,  read  Psalm  1.  16  to  22. 


7 


\ 


But  if  you  repent,  and  bring  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance  by  giving  up  your 
idols,  he  has  promised  forgiveness.  Therefore,  by  doing  away  with  slavery  you 
may  not  only  avert  the  judgments  of  God  against  your  country,  but  again  have  an 
opportunity  of  enjoying  the  same  privileges  as  other  citizens,  besides  having  the 
honor  of  restoring  the  Union  to  a  permanent  peace  and  social  intercourse  which 
nothing  can  then  interrupt,  and  thereby  obtain  the  esteem  and  good  will  of  all  truly 
Christian  people. 

I  beg  to  inform  you  that  I  am  an  Englishman,  and  a  British  subject,  and  conse¬ 
quently  a  disinterested  intercessor.  I  have  been  within  the  Union  more  than  seven¬ 
teen  years,  and  have  traveled  over  a  portion  of  all  the  States  north  of  North  Carolina, 
Tennessee  and  Arkansas,  excepting  Minnesota,  (being  twenty  States,)  circulating 
religious  poetry  and  pamphlets  among  the  people ;  and  I  dread  to  contemplate  the 
awful  scenes  likely  to  attend  an  intestine  war,  particularly  in  the  South,  seeing  she 
is  composed  of  such  combustible  materials.  For  I  love  the  American  people,  and 
hope  the  Union  may  yet  be  preserved  to  the  end  of  time.  And  in  order  to  assist 
a  little  in  restoring  it  to  peace  and  prosperity,  I  would  very  willingly  subscribe 
one  hundred  dollars  toward  purchasing  the  freedom  of  the  slaves,  and  should  feel 
much  pleasure  in  having  the  opportunity  afforded  me. 

And  can  your  love  of  the  Union,  being  an  American,  be  less  than  mine,  who  am 
a  foreigner  ?  I  hope  you  will  seriously  consider  these  things  and  act  in  a  right  and 
Christian  spirit.  And  should  you  feel  disposed  to  drop  me  a  few  lines,  stating  that 
you  will  try  to  bring  this  about,  I  should  be  happy  to  exert  my  humble  influence 
with  the  people  of  the  North,  in  endeavoring  to  settle  the  controversy  in  such  a 
friendly  manner.  For  it  is  written,  “Blessed  are  the  peacemakers:  for  they  shall 
be  called  the  children  of  God.”  Matt,  v,  9.  And  I  suppose  you  are  aware  that 
God  is  pleased,  at  times,  to  make  use  of  weak  and  humble  instruments  to  bring 
about  and  accomplish  his  great  designs. 

Hoping  you  will  kindly  accept  my  humble  suggestions,  I  remain  yours  sincerely 
in  the  Lord.  Frederick  Hasted. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  written  from  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  April  27th,  1861, 

To  Hon.  Horace  Greeley ,  editor  in  chief  of  the  New  York  Tribune. 

Mr.  Editor  : — Sir ,  1  beg  to  inform  you,  that  directly  after  breakfast  this  morning, 
a  passage  of  scripture  came  powerfully  to  my  mind,  which,  during  the  present  excited 
state  of  the  public  mind  appears  not  to  have  been  noticed. 

God  declared  by  the  prophet,  “  I  will  say  to  the  north,  Give  up ;  and  to  the  south, 
Keep  not  back :  bring  my  sons  from  far,  and  my  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth.”  Isaiah  xliii.  6. 

Now,  as  God  speaks  to  the  heart  and  conscience  of  man,  both  in  his  written 
word  and  by  his  Spirit,  we  may  easily  perceive  how  it  has  operated  in  time  past, 
and  how  it  should  continue  to  operate  throughout  time,  in  a  temporal  as  well  as  in  a 
spiritual  point  of  view.  For  the  northern  people  on  this  Continent  have  given  up 
the  system  of  slavery  long  since.  And  the  northern  Autocrat  of  all  the  Russias,  and 
his  people,  have  and  are  giving  up  the  system  of  serfdom.  Is  it  not  now  high  time 
for  the  South  to  hearken  ?  and  not  keep  back:  by  withholding  freedom,  and  fight¬ 
ing  to  maintain  slavery  ?  Do  not  the  southern  people  profess  to  be  Christians?  and 
declare  they  are  contending  for  a  good  cause  ?  even  the  cause  of  God  and  liberty  ? 
If  this  were  true,  would  they  not  prove  it  by  their  works  ?  for  Jesus  informed  his 
followers  how  they  might  know  who  are  true  Christians,  saying:  “Ye  shall  know 
them  by  their  fruits.  Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven,  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  Heaven. 
Many  will  say  to  me  in  that  day,  Lord,  Lord,  have  we  not  prophesied  in  thy  name  ? 
and  in  thy  name  have  cast  out  devils  ?  and  in  thy  name  done  many  wonderful 
works  ?  And  then  will  I  profess  unto  them,  I  never  knew  you :  depart  from  me, 
ye  that  work  iniquity.”  Matt.  vii.  16,  21,  22,  23;  read  also  Isaiah  lviii.  1  to  7; 


8 


2d  Thess.  ii.  1  to  1 2.  And  the  Apostle  spake  of  seme,  saying :  “  They  profess  that 
they  know  God;  but  in  works  they  deny  him,  being  abominable,  and  disobedient, 
and  to  every  good  work  reprobate.”  Titus  i.  16  ;  read  also  Jeremiah  xvii.  9,  10,  11. 

Therefore  in  order  to  give  them  an  opportunity  to  examine  themselves  so  as  to 
be  enabled  to  ascertain  correctly  whether  they  are  really  serving  God,  or  opposing 
him  in  the  work  of  civilization  and  Christianization,  I  entreat  you  kindly  to  conde¬ 
scend  to  publish  this  in  your  widely  circulated  and  valuable  paper,  and  oblige  yours 
sincerely,  Frederick  Hasted. 

TO  THE  READER. 

In  the  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated  December  1st,  1861,  I  saw  it  stated  that  the 
slave  property  of  the  States  in  rebellion  has  been  variously  estimated  at  the  value  of  from  Seven 
to  Ten  Hundred  Millions  of  Dollars. 

And  I  expect  it  will  cost  the  Union  people  that  amount,  or  more,  to  put  down  the  rebellion, 
replace  property  destroyed,  and  repair  property  injured;  to  say  nothing  of  the  sacrifice  of  life, 
and  derangement  of  business  and  commerce. 

And  to  the  rebels  the  loss  will  be  greater,  beside  causing  the  inhabitants  of  the  slave  States 
to  endure  much  privation,  perplexity,  distress,  sickness  and  suffering,  entailing  upon  them  dis¬ 
eases  of  various  kinds,  and  death  in  different  shapes  and  forms,  through  the  pride,  obstinacy, 
and  ambition  of  evil  designing  men. 

It  is  really  horrible  for  those  at  a  distance  only  to  read  the  accounts,  and  what  must  it  be  to 
those  who  are  under  its  baneful  influence,  and  sensibly  feel  its  sad  and  ruinous  effects? 

Why  will  men  be  so  obstinate  and  rebellious  against  the  Lord,  and  rush  on  headlong  to 
destruction  like  Pharaoh?  Is  not  his  fate  recorded?  Why  then  tread  in  his  steps?  Are  they 
determined  to  prove  that  God  calls  in  vain,  (at  least  to  them,)  saying:  “  consider  your  ways.” 

See  how  much  better  it  would  have  been  for  all  concerned  if  my  suggestions  had  been 
accepted,  acted  on,  and  carried  out,  so  as  for  the  slaves  to  have  been  liberated  fora  reasonable 
compensation.  That  would  have  preserved  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  whole  country  so 
that  the  nation  would  have  scarcely  felt  the  cost,  saved  much  blood  and  treasure,  furthered  the 
cause  of  God  and  Christian  benevolence,  exalted  the  nation  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and  have 
screened  Mexico  from  foreign  invasion. 

Instead  of  which,  this  that  is  written  cometh  to  pass,  “  Pools  because  of  their  transgressions, 
and  because  of  their  iniquities  are  afflicted.  Because  they  rebelled  against  the  words  of  God, 
and  contemned  the  counsel  of  the  Most  High.”  Psalm,  cvii.  11,  17.  Read  also  Jeremiah  i. 
4  to  19.  Because  that  shows  that  in  all  thrngs  pertaining  to  life  and  Godliness  the  servant  of 
the  Lord  has  to  do  with  all  nations,  kindreds,  people  and  tongues. 

If  you  wish  further  information  on  this  point,  read  Proverbs,  xv.  1  to  10  ;  Revelations,  vii.  9. 

While  I  remain  yours  sincerely  in  the  Lord,  Frederick  Hasted. 

It  is  now  March  14th,  1862. 


I  will  here  introduce  a  beautiful  piece  of  poetry,  showing  that  while  the  Union  sentinel  is 
quietly  performing  his  f  .aty,  a  Southern  assassin,  disguised  as  a  soldier,  violates  God’s  command 
“  Thou  shalt  not  lie  in  tfait  to  shed  blood.” 

THE  PICKET  GUARD. 


“  All  quiet  alone;  the  Potomac,”  they  say, 

“  Except,  now  and  then,  a  stray  picket 

Is  shot,  as  he  walks  on  his  beat  to  and  fro, 

By  a  rifleman  hid  in  the  thicket. 

’Tis  nothing— a  private  or  two. nowand  then, 

Will  not  count  in  the  news  of  the  battle; 

Not  an  officer  lost— only  one  of  the  men 
Moaning  oat,  all  alone,  the  death  rattle.” 
********* 

All  quiet  along  the  Potomac  to-night, 

Where  the  so.diers  lie  peacefully  dreaming; 

Their  tents  in  the  rays  of  the  clear  autumn  moon, 
Or  the  light  of  the  watch-fire  are  gleaming. 

A  tremulous  sigh,  as  the  gentle  night-wind 
Through  the  forest  leaves  softly  is  creeping ; 

While  stars  up  above,  with  their  glittering  eyes, 
Keep  guard — for  the  army  is  sleeping. 

There’s  only  the  sound  of  the  lone  sentry’s  tread, 
As  he  tramps  from  the  rock  to  the  fountain ; 

\nd  lie  thinks  of  the  two  in  the  low  trundle  bed, 
Far  away  in  the  cot  on  the  mountain, 

Iis  musket  falls  slack — his  face,  dark  and  grim, 
Grows  gentle,  with  memories  tender, 


As  he  mutters  a  prayer  for  the  children  asleep — 

For  their  mother— may  Heaven  defend  her ! 

The  moon  seems  to  shine  just  as  brightly  as  then, — 
That  night  when  the  love,  yet  unspoken, 

Leaped  up  to  her  lips — when  low-murmured  vows 
Were  pledged,  to  be  ever  unbroken. 

Then  drawing  his  sleeve  roughly  over  his  eyes, 

He  dashes  otf  tears  that  are  welling, 

And  gather’s  his  gun  closer  up  to  its  place 
As  if  to  keep  down  the  heart-swelling. 

He  passes  the  fountain,  the  blasted  pine  tree, — 

The  footstep  is  lagging  and  weary; 

Yet  onward  he  goes,  through  the  broad  belt  of  light 
Toward  the  shade  of  the  forest  so  dreary, 

Hark !  was  it  the  night- wind  that  rustled  the  leaves  ? 
Was  it  moonlight  so  wondrously  flashing? 

It  looked  like  a  rifle — “Ha!  Mary,  good-bye!” 

And  the  life-blood  is  ebbing  and  plashing. 

All  quiet  along  the  Potomac  to-night  1 
No  sound  save  the  rush  of  the  river; 

While  soft  falls  the  dew  on  the  face  of  the  dead — 

The  picket’s  off  duty  forever!  E.  B. 


